Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail - 2005
The opening chord of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail will be struck this year at Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness on Monday 18th July at a "Grand Opening Ceilidh" from 8-10pm.
Now in its 4th year the organisers of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail are confident that the musical line up and venues on offer will appeal not only to locals but will also pull in many visitors to the area at the beginning of the tourism season.
Organised by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service in partnership with British Waterways Scotland, the Ceilidh Trail has been made possible with funding from the Scottish Arts Council, National Lottery – Access and Participation.
The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail runs from Monday 18th July till Friday 12th August, 2005 with 45 ceilidhs at over 14 venues along the canal including on boats, in hotels, in the open air, at cafes, at day care centres, at historic sites and at Inverness Highland Games on Saturday 23rd July in the Tulloch Traditional Music Tent.
The ceilidhs are a mixture of performances by the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail Band and also informal sessions where anyone can bring their own instrument and join in – these distinctions are indicated on the Ceilidh Trail programme.
Playing in the Ceilidh Trail Band are Inverness accordion player, David Bowen; Hugh Marwick of Balnain on whistle; and Stratherrick-based fiddle player, Irene Rule. Accompanying them are student musicians Roya Maclean, Muir of Ord, Euan Hemmingway, Kiltarlity.
International guests to Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail, this year are the Danish Ensemble, ‘De Dover Spillemaund’ and the Danish Hollestrop Youth Marching Band.
The aim of the Ceilidh Trail is to encourage the development and appreciation of traditional music while supporting the visitor and tourism trade along the route of the Caledonian Canal.
Admission to events on the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is free with the exception of the Grand Opening Ceilidh and ceilidhs played at the Craigmonie Centre and Glenurquhart Public Hall in Drumnadrochit and the Barbeque ceilidh on the 12th of August at Abriachan Hall.
This year the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail has extended its reach into Lochaber with a new venue on the circuit at the Invergarry Hotel.
Councillor Roderick Balfour, Chairman of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "This year’s Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail has an excellent programme, not only of performance ceilidhs but also informal ceilidhs where the public can join in. Most of the events are free. I am looking forward to joining in with my bagpipes."
Alisa Andrews British Waterways Scotland Caledonian Canal Office Manager said: "British Waterways Scotland are delighted to support the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail in its 4th year. It’s great that visiting yachtsmen and women from all over the world will have this chance to enjoy some real Scottish music."
The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail is part of a network of Ceilidh Trails throughout the Highlands others including Fèis Rois in Easter Ross from 18th July – 14th August; Fèis Chataibh Golpsie from 17th July – 5th August; and from the 4th – 31st July, Fèis Lochabair Fort William and Fèis an Earraich Sleat on the Isle of Skye.
Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail programmes are available from Council Services Points and tickets for the Grand Opening Ceilidh are available from The Highland Council’s Community Learning and Leisure Service at Inverness Town House or by telephoning: 01463 724314.
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